Valve Transgender Discrimination? Or An Industry Giant Making A Natural Change?
The games industry is no stranger to controversy, and today’s episode involves allegations of Valve transgender discrimination. A former employee who worked in translation is suing the industry giant for over $3 million, citing a hostile work environment and being called “it” following sexual reassignment surgery.
Documents obtained by Polygon indicate that the complainant had several other issues with the company ranging from discrimination to having ‘false promises’ made to her.
The April 2016 filing shows the plaintiff worked at Valve prior to 2012 before pursuing gender transition in 2012. Valve apparently accommodated these desires, allowing her to work remotely and from home while undergoing transition and recovering. With the move, Valve required the employee to be reclassified as an independent contractor. Her work continued until earlier this year, when after filing a complaint about unpaid translators Valve chose to relocate her position back to Washington. The plaintiff offered to move with the job, but Valve declined to continue the relationship.
The filing is seeking $1 million in general damages, $1 million in special damages, $1 million in lost earnings, and $150000 for unpaid wages and penalties in addition to punitive damages to be assigned by the court.
For Valve’s part, they’ve categorically denied all the allegations and asked the entire filing to be dismissed by the court.
Does this constitute Valve transgender discrimination? Or a natural evolution of a working relationship? Something else? Tell us what you think, readers – this is a touchy subject, and we’d love to hear what you have to say!